Wearable Wound Heating Patch With Nanofibers for Stable Thermoregulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound and skin care treatment devices are limited by their bulkiness, lack of portability, inefficiency, and inability to provide consistent thermoregulation, which can lead to adverse outcomes in wound healing and infection prevention, especially in the context of multi-drug resistant infections like MRSA. Additionally, existing phototherapies are cumbersome and ineffective for treating multiple skin conditions simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional treatment device utilizing nanotechnology, incorporating a chemical heat source, light emitting nanofibers, and electrical stimulation, which can be worn on the skin to provide thermoregulation, phototherapy, and electrical stimulation, and is powered by a long-lasting nanotechnology battery, allowing for remote control and real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional heating applicators are used, then heating treatment can be provided, but the devices are bulky and difficult to fit onto small wounds or injuries at hard-to-access locations
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is segmented into a flexible heating element that can be divided or cut to match the specific size and shape of the wound area, allowing it to conform to small or irregularly shaped wounds while maintaining portability and ease of application
Solution Approach 2:
The heating applicator uses a flexible thin film structure that can be easily conform ed to the contours of various body parts and wound shapes, enabling simple application to hard-to-reach locations without requiring bulky hardware
2Duration of action of moving object
If traditional heating applicators are used, then heating treatment can be provided, but they are not long lasting and require frequent change of the applicator
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates a continuous heat source mechanism that maintains therapeutic temperature throughout the treatment period, ensuring uninterrupted heating action and eliminating the need for frequent applicator changes
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses phase change materials or chemical reactions that provide sustained heat release over an extended period, changing the temporal parameter of heat delivery to match the required treatment duration and reduce replacement frequency
3Reliability
If traditional heating applicators are used, then heating treatment can be provided, but some are hard to reheat and cannot provide consistent thermoregulation
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates self-regulating thermal properties or automatic control mechanisms that maintain consistent temperature without requiring external intervention for reheating, ensuring reliable thermoregulation while simplifying the reheating process
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes temperature sensing and control systems that provide real-time feedback to maintain consistent therapeutic temperature, automatically adjusting heat delivery to prevent fluctuations and ensure reliable thermoregulation throughout treatment
4Use of energy by moving object
If existing heating devices are used, then treatment can be provided, but they are low in efficiency and high in waste of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device uses porous insulation materials that minimize heat loss to the surrounding environment, directing thermal energy efficiently to the treatment area and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining therapeutic temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite material structures that combine heat generation, storage, and delivery functions in a single integrated system, improving energy utilization efficiency by reducing thermal losses and eliminating the need for separate heating components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device facilitates efficient wound healing, infection prevention, and pain management by providing consistent thermoregulation and targeted therapy, reducing hospital stay times and costs while effectively addressing multi-drug resistant infections.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical heat source, wherein the chemical heat source can produce a temperature in the range of about -10°C to about 50°C
Implementation Method 2
a heat conductive layer having a front side and a back side, wherein the heat conductive layer is made of nanofibers extensively affixed to the heating receiving surface of the heat application layer
Implementation Method 3
a lighting mechanism interwoven into the heat application layer
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of electrodes integrated with the heat application layer, wherein the electrodes are coupled to the power source providing a mechanism for neuromuscular stimulation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
The current invention discloses a treatment device having a heat source, a power source, a heat applicator and a lighting mechanism. The power source includes at least one battery having superior properties such as prolonged electricity production and prompt recharging. The heat applicator includes a heat conductive layer made from nanofibers, providing highly efficient heat distribution to the targeted regions. The lighting mechanism employs light emitting nano fibers to treat targeted regions. The power source provides energy to the light source, which generates light so that the applicator may distribute to an injury site or wound bed of a user. The heat source may be an exothermic chemical reaction designed to last for several hours supplying heat to the treatment device or an electronically produced heat. The treatment device further comprises a plurality of electrodes for electrical stimulation treatment.